Hello and H23 Bottom Painting Suggestions

[dhaberman]

Hello all I am new to the forum and new to Hunter (and sail boat) ownership. I recently purchased a Hunter 23. The trailer is a bunk trailer and I doing the bottom paint and was looking for creative ways to paint under the bunks, or move the boat on the bunks to paint the two stripes.

Would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[SFKjeld]

Hello all I am new to the forum and new to Hunter (and sail boat) ownership. I recently purchased a Hunter 23. The trailer is a bunk trailer and I doing the bottom paint and was looking for creative ways to paint under the bunks, or move the boat on the bunks to paint the two stripes.

Would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks!

Dave

For what it's worth, I tried it on my 23.5 a few months ago. Gave up. It was too hard to get under the boat and the methods for raising it end by end to get between the bottom and bunk was tough. You should be able to find the methods in a search. I think being in my 60's plus worrying about toxic paint made it a lot harder. Sorry, I wish a had a silver bullet.

 

[dhaberman]

For what it's worth, I tried it on my 23.5 a few months ago. Gave up. It was too hard to get under the boat and the methods for raising it end by end to get between the bottom and bunk was tough. You should be able to find the methods in a search. I think being in my 60's plus worrying about toxic paint made it a lot harder. Sorry, I wish a had a silver bullet.

No worries, I hear what you are saying. I was thinking about floating off the bunks and back on with either the port or starboard side slightly low to raise and lower that spot away from the bunks slight, bit wasn't sure it the trailer would like that.

 

[Kermit]

No worries, I hear what you are saying. I was thinking about floating off the bunks and back on with either the port or starboard side slightly low to raise and lower that spot away from the bunks slight, bit wasn't sure it the trailer would like that.

That would work but then you have to wait for the bottom to dry.

I put 4x4s against the rubrails on one side and chained them to the trailer. Then dropped the bunk on that side and painted that entire side of the bottom. After it dried, I put the bunks back and repeated on the other side. I bought the 4x4s from Lowes and returned them when done. Although they didn't really ask why I was returning them I just told them I didn't need them. (The truth shall set you free.) I have pictures somewhere but can't find them.

Hope this helps.

 

[dhaberman]

That would work but then you have to wait for the bottom to dry.

I put 4x4s against the rubrails on one side and chained them to the trailer. Then dropped the bunk on that side and painted that entire side of the bottom. After it dried, I put the bunks back and repeated on the other side. I bought the 4x4s from Lowes and returned them when done. Although they didn't really ask why I was returning them I just told them I didn't need them. (The truth shall set you free.) I have pictures somewhere but can't find them.

Hope this helps.

LOL...great idea, including returning the 4x4!!! Thanks!

 

[Kermit]

I used 4 4x4s. More is better. Especially since you're not gonna be stuck with them. And get lots of chain. The chain is to keep the 4x4s from sliding away and letting the boat drop on your noggin.

 

[dhaberman]

I used 4 4x4s. More is better. Especially since you're not gonna be stuck with them. And get lots of chain. The chain is to keep the 4x4s from sliding away and letting the boat drop on your noggin.

For sure dropping on the noggin would be very bad!!!

 

[CC23]

easy way to paint under bunk

I'm painting my bottom now and this works well with the H23. Park the trailer so it is slightly sideways on a hill. Tie the downhill side down with a strap cinch for safety. Lower the uphill bunk so you can clean, sand and paint under it. When done with that side, replace the bunk where it was and move the trailer to do the other side.

 

[Tommy T]

Lower the front of the trailer down as low as it will go. This will raise the stern of the boat. Block up the stern (I used a stack of old pallets). Raise the front of the trailer up. This will lower the stern and cause it to settle on the blocking lifting the stern off the bunks. Block up the bow and lower the trailer. With the bow blocked up the trailer will drop away from the bow. Paint the area around the bunks then reverse the process to set the boat back on the bunks. Be sure the boat is well blocked to keep it from rolling.

 

[dhaberman]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the ideas. This weekend, I will need to enact one! I will post pictures once I am done!

 

[omnivox42]

What type of paint do you use on your H23?

 

[dhaberman]

What type of paint do you use on your H23?

I am using VC-17

 

[inarathree]

I'll ask the obvious question here. If you boat is on a trailer, do you plan on leaving it in the water, or trailer it? If its sitting in the water less than a couple weeks at a time, then there is no need to paint it.

 

[dhaberman]

I'll ask the obvious question here. If you boat is on a trailer, do you plan on leaving it in the water, or trailer it? If its sitting in the water less than a couple weeks at a time, then there is no need to paint it.

Nope, it will be sitting in the water for the whole season...Sunday until something in October.

 

[MIKEHUNT23]

Hello all I am new to the forum and new to Hunter (and sail boat) ownership. I recently purchased a Hunter 23. The trailer is a bunk trailer and I doing the bottom paint and was looking for creative ways to paint under the bunks, or move the boat on the bunks to paint the two stripes. Would appreciate any ideas. Thanks! Dave

If you want a fast hull. Might re-think trailer painting. Borrow some stands and do it right.
Good luck!

 

[Brian M H23]

Kermit has the right idea - if you only drop one bunk the keel (and most of the weight) is still on the trailer not the 4x4. Plus, if you only drop the bunk a few inches, and raise it back up to almost touching, the chance of something bad happening is small.

If you block the whole boat up, i can imagine lots and lots of terrible things. I wouldn't do it

 

[Kermit]

It worked for me.

 

[isaksp00]

If you are on a fresh water lake, consider not bothering to paint. I leave mine on a lake from about mid May to maybe early Oct, don't paint at all, and I only get a sort of grassy slime, which the yard power washes off at end of season. I guess if you race seriously, maybe this won't work for you.